Trump Faces Bipartisan Fury After Saying Iran Could 'Take Out' Los Angeles and San Diego During 'Small Price' Iran Speech

US President Donald Trump is facing bipartisan backlash after invoking the possibility of Iran 'taking out' Los Angeles and San Diego while defending the economic costs of the war, remarks the White House says have been misinterpreted.

The remarks, made at a campaign rally in Nebraska, drew condemnation from California Democrats and a Republican congressional candidate, while the White House insisted Trump's comments had been misinterpreted.

Los Angeles and San Diego During Iran War Speech

Trump made the comments on Monday while discussing the economic consequences of the US conflict with Iran, including higher fuel and fertiliser prices.

'It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,' Trump told supporters in Grand Island.

He then said: 'They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.'

Trump returned to his argument that the economic disruption caused by the conflict was a 'very small price to pay' and predicted the war would end 'very soon.'

The remarks quickly became a political flashpoint in California, home to nearly 40 million people and several competitive congressional races ahead of November's midterm elections.

Gavin Newsom Calls Trump 'Deranged and Dangerous'

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic, condemned the president's comments and described him as 'deranged and dangerous.'

Newsom accused Trump of appearing to invite a foreign adversary to attack American cities and highlighted the president's previous deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticised Trump, saying his remarks were 'dangerous' and could 'potentially compromise our safety.'

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria similarly rejected the suggestion that his city could be considered an acceptable wartime cost.

'We are not expendable. And we are never a "small price to pay,"' Gloria wrote.

Republican Jim Desmond Breaks With Trump

The criticism was not confined to Democrats.

Jim Desmond, a Republican and Navy veteran running for a competitive House seat in the San Diego area, publicly distanced himself from Trump.

'I vehemently disagree with President Trump's comments,' Desmond said, arguing that the commander-in-chief's first responsibility was protecting Americans and the US homeland.

'No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage.'

Independent Representative Kevin Kiley, who currently caucuses with Republicans for committee purposes, also described Trump's comments as 'unhelpful.'

Desmond's rebuke is particularly significant because his closely watched congressional contest could help determine whether Republicans retain their narrow House majority.

The White House Defends Trump's Remarks

The White House rejected suggestions that Trump was advocating an attack on California.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called the backlash a 'media freakout' that was 'not rooted in reality.'

Cheung said Trump was arguing that American cities could have faced a threat if Iran had been allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

'America is safer because of the President,' Cheung said, adding that Iran has 'no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.'

Trump has previously used similar language when defending higher fuel prices, arguing that temporary economic costs were preferable to allowing Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. FactCheck.org said the broader context suggested Trump was arguing that higher fuel prices were a small price to pay to prevent Iran from threatening US cities, rather than advocating an attack on Los Angeles or San Diego.

California Row Erupts Ahead of Crucial US Midterms

The controversy comes as Republicans fight to maintain control of Congress in November's midterm elections, with California containing several closely watched House races.

Trump has increasingly targeted California while campaigning in Republican strongholds, but his Los Angeles and San Diego remarks have also prompted criticism from figures on Trump's own side of the political spectrum, including Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond.